From Estate papers, a list of tenants and their rents in 1867 – including Cliff. No. Tenant Rent 1 Angus Smith £ 1.6.0 2 John Mackay (Roy) £ 2.6.0 3 Angus Morison Jr £ 3.16.0 4 Donald Maclennan (Angus) £ 4.6.0 5 James Morison £ 2.16.0 6 Angus Macaulay £ 2.16.0 7 John Buchanan Jr (Murdo) £ 3.11.0 8 John Buchanan Jr (Donald) £ 3.11. 0 9 Angus Maclennan £ 2.14.6 10 Donald Maclean (Donald) £ 5.3.0 11 Donald Macleod (John) £ 4.16.6 12 John [ » read more ]

A small village on Camas na Clibhe, between high cliffs on both sides, and at the head of Loch Sgaillear. Valtos and the neighbouring village of Cliff were once one, with croft numbers running from 1 to 39 Valtos. Cliff is now a separate village with crofts numbering only 35 to 39, while Valtos addresses stop at 34. The remains of an Atlantic roundhouse of indeterminate age overlook the village. There are also more recent remains that emerge occasionally at low tides on Traigh na [ » read more ]

After the end of the Great War, dangerous materials were still washing up on the beach. All credit to Nurse Maclean for her tender care of Murdo Macleod, Cliff, in 1919.

The Uilleam Dubh on the pier at Hushinish; photo by John J Maclennan. This little story revealed itself in stages: thanks to John J Maclennan especially, and to Finlay Maciver, Shonnie Buchanan and Calum Maclennan Govig for piecing it together.  The Uilleam Dubh has been a Scarp boat for many years, and the suggestion was that she was built in Brenish, and/or by a Malcolm Maclean of the famous Maclean boatbuilders of Uig, and called after her builder or owner.  These Macleans were in Mangersta, [ » read more ]

These studio portraits are all from the early years of the 20th century – except the first, which is a tintype (I think) and seems to be earlier. They are unidentified, but came from the collection of Joan Maciver, Cliff. If you know who they might be, please comment.

These photos all came from the collection of Joan Maciver, 35 Cliff. If you recognise any faces, please let us know!

The house at 35 Cliff is currently being renovated – here are three pictures from the collection of the late Joan Maciver of the house at the time of previous improvements.  In the middle photo the new kitchen is being added.

For next year, Uig Museum will be mounting a display of wedding and christening objects, and we’re very keen to collect any items, stories, photographs and archives connected with these events in Uig over the years.  Naturally we don’t need to take ownership of them, unless you’d like to give them a safe home – we can photograph or scan them and return them immediately.  If you have any such Uig-related items you’d like to contribute, please get in touch with Sarah or Finlay (672224); [ » read more ]

Chrissie Matheson 39 Cliff and Jessie Macdonald 24 Valtos.

More photos from Cliff, from Joan’s collection.  We’re often defeated by children but if you recognise any of these, let us know please.  You may find it easier to view them on the Gallery page.

Another item from the endlessly entertaining Lewsiana, by W Anderson Smith (1874/1886). From the fact that every crofter owns a few sheep, wool is naturally the first and most important article in use [in clothing]. This is often torn from the animal, Shetland fashion, in place of being clipped. More wretched looking creatures than these poor little sheep, hanging in rags, cannot be conceived; and one wonders if it is a source of satisfaction to the cotter children to see something more hopelessly ragged than [ » read more ]

This unidentified sailor with the Naval Division is believed to be one of those interned in Holland in 1914.  The picture was taken at Groningen, and comes to us from 10 Mangersta.  Is he one of the Uigeachs listed below who spent the war in “HMS Timbertown”?  The following was written by Dave Roberts for Uig News; more information about the 106 known internees from Lewis, and the conditions they experienced, are found at Guido Blokland’s comprehensive website. On 5 August 1914 the postman delivered [ » read more ]

The Highland News, 5 July 1913: On Wednesday, 2nd inst., the Rev Allan Mackenzie, parish minister of Uig, received a deputation from his congregation who presented him with a handsome new trap and carriage rug.  Mr John Matheson Aird said that when the congregation understood how much the minister required a new trap, they entered most heartily into the proposal.  The minister had given his services ungrudgingly for the good of the parish in the post, and they wished to assist him to do so [ » read more ]

There were 104 pupils at Valtos School in 1904.  This key may help with the identification. 1 Mr Cameron 2 Flora Maciver Kneep (Floraidh nighean Mairead Alasdair) 3 Christina Mackay 21 Valtos (Cairstiona Rothaich) 4 Mary Matheson Kneep (Mairi Smiodaidh) 5 Betty Buchanan (Beit Dhomhnaill an t-Saighdear) 6 Barbara Maciver 25 Valtos (Bab Tharmoid Mhurchaidh) 7 Catherine Smith 13 Valtos (Catriona Chaluim a Ghobha) 8 Joan Buchanan 18 Uigen (Seonag Chaluim Mhoir) 9 Dolina Matheson 5 Kneep (Doileag Smiodaidh) 10 Annie Morrison Reithmir (Anna Mhurchaidh [ » read more ]